The attacker who shot at and wounded Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Union minister Ravishankar Prasad on Thursday has been identified, a senior police official said.

Rohtas District Magistrate Vivek Singh told PTI by phone from Sasaram that the youth had been identified as Munna Rai alias Hulchul Rai of Karamhansi village under Natwaar police station. Whether the assailant was a Naxalite or had a criminal background was being ascertained, he added.

Singh said the assailant, who was nearly beaten to death after the attack, was in a coma and chances of his survival were very remote.

Asked if he was being referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital for treatment, Singh said doctors attending on him were of the opinion that the man might die in transit. "Since shifting him to Patna in this condition is risky, he is being treated here," he said.